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Hi everyone. I was involved in a car accident the other day. It was snowing and a car got turned around on the highway (and was going the wrong way) and hit me (i was going about 40mpg). the car is a 2003 civic EX with approx 45K on it. I still owe about $2100 on the car. I know you can't tell how much it will cost to fix the car, but does anyone have a rough estimate? I was only hit on the passenger side rear. However, the left rear of my car (where the wheel is) looks like its been lowered from the impact. Also, my electrical system started to flicker after it got hit. I was thinking about getting a new car and was wondering if you guys think this car is worth getting fixed? Because it will decrease in value if I trade in/ sell now that it's been in an accident. The tow truck guy said it was borderline totaled, but insurance will probably fix it because the car isn't that old.

 
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I'd say your car is totaled. The lower control got ripped out in front likely bending the frame in back (hopefully just bending the back of the control arm), not to mention where the front control mount bolts connect to the frame, add to that all the suspension/body work. I know at first glance it doesn't look bad but I think it's worse than it appears.

 
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Insurance companies are really bad at estimating what it would cost to do it on your own. I think they estimate at dealership costs.

 
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How much money do you think I will end up getting? Hopefully the other drive tells her insurance company the truth and she will be at fault. She went to the hospital, so the police officer didn't talk to her.
Do you suggest just getting the insurance money paying off the 2100 I owe and then getting a new car?

 
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you were going 40mpgs? In the snow? That's impressive

That does look pretty bad. I'd say get a new car.

 
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totaled.

and lol to the fact that you were going 40mpg. not bad fuel mileage seeing you were getting hit at the time of calculation... hahaha



mph.

 
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ahhhhhh you beat me to it by 1 sec lolol

 
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Insurance is 'funny' and something I don't fully understand. If they say it's totaled I don't think you have a choice but to get something else. On the other hand it depends on the state you're in and the company you're dealing with. So my advice hinges completely on what they have to say.

 
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lol...I was going to say something about the gas mileage but didn't feel like being a dick after an accident.

 
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i meant 40 mph, not mpg! The thing that sucks is I was doing "mpg calculations on my car" And I had just put 35 bux in the tank before it got hit! Also I gave someone 5 bux at the gas station because they said they ran out of gas on the highway, and this is what i get in return!
In case anyone was wondering, my mpg test results were 28.5 mpg and 32 mpg. I have a 25 mile commute to work each day and the 28.5 was going an average of 85mph on the highway and the 32 was going 70-75 average! My car is auto!

 
Rep Power: 228

Damn, that sucks! Looks like its going to cost alot. The back is all smashed and your wheel is bent back hardcore from the looks of thing. I'd say buy a new car.





Wagner

 
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Why don't you take 5 minutes to go get a free estimate?

 
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Ah man accidents SUCK.

 
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the car is at the tow lot and is being towed to a body shop... but since it was snowing and the weekend nothing happened and my car just sat at the tow lot. I was just asking people their opinion so I could think about what I wanted to do. Should hear from insurance today.

 
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good luck with everything, i know how this feels.

 
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thanks! I talked to her insurance today and told them what happened. HOpefully she will tell the truth and it won't take long to figure out who was at fault. It just sucks because i was on my way home from work minding my own business and this happens.

Do any of you know if its true that if you get suspension fixed (like on my car) that the car will never truly be "right" again?

 
Rep Power: 245

Not completely true, as long as the repair is through. In your case I still think its totaled. My opinon (just from looking at the picture) it will require a new upper and lower control arm, strut along with some upper stut mount issues front bolts on the lower control allignment issues, possibly knuckle problems, upper control arm mount issues. I think that might just about cover it. Good thing is its just one side.

 
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the body shop said they will fix it and they ordered the parts. Ill have to go tomorrow to look at the estimate. I had SS brake lines and tokico struts in the back. Will they replace it with the stock parts or the stuff i had on there?

 
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I can't see them doing anything but replacing with stock parts. I am interested to see what they actually needed to do. (mostly the mechanical side)

 
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Thanks Ill let you guys know tomorrow when I go look at the estimate. The thing is I had ss brake lines and tokico struts all around. I don't believe the front was damaged. so are you saying they will put oem brakelines and struts on the back with aftermarket in the front?

 
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I wouldn't be worried about the brake lines, I think they're fine. The strut on the other hand I think OEM replacement. If they reuse your old one that is probably one of those things that adds to your car not being the same anymore.

 
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No meant since the front wasn't damaged, ill have tokico in the front and oem in the rear. I guess that won't really matter that much. I'm planning on trading my car in. The body shop gave me an estimate, but the insurance company hasn't said anything yet. So does this mean its definately not totalled, or does insurance still have to look at it?

 
Rep Power: 245

Just a shop estimate (I thought they had parts on order), insurance still needs to have its say in the matter and don't be surprised to have to wait a week or more for that. Insurance sucks if its the other insurance company your waiting on. The only time I delt with my insurance company was when my car was stolen and the response was very fast.

 
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Cool thanks, so it might still be totaled? How do you know about insurance stuff? you seem smart!

 
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the estimate is 5,500 so insurance is going to fix it. Ill post the list of things that need to get fixed later. I decided that the best financial move on my part is to just keep the car. It has 45k on it and i have the 100k warranty. And the car will be paid off in September. Do you guys agree that this is the best thing to do?

 
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Keep it, having a paid off car is way better than making a payment every month. Plus i read somewhere that if your going to have a car thats paid off a civic is one of the best choices.

 
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Is the $5,500 estimate from a local body shop? If so, I would get an estimate from the dealer. Personally I would feel more comfortable with the dealer doing the work. It has also been my experience that the insurance company can't really argue with dealer costs. It would also insure your 100K warranty stays solid. I would also talk to the dealer about the struts, they may put on a set if you supply and give you the stock ones (which you can sell here).

 
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I should have brought it to the dealership. That is true. I never thought about that. But the car is already at the body shop and they ordered all the parts already. The shop manager said honda will still warranty the suspension after the repair since he is going through honda to get the parts. However, the suspension parts are used. Also, he said there is frame damage "the rail in the rear". He said the car should be as good as new again. I'm hoping for the best! Will take over 2 weeks to repair!

 
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The other persons insurance is taking full liability and they are going to reestimate the car. She said it will probably be a total loss. Now, the bodyshop is trying to tell the insurance company they will have to pay restocking fees and storage fees. However, the bodyshop ordered all the parts before asking me and before the other persons insurance estimated the car. But that is between their insurance and the bodyshop. Their insurance said i shouldn't have to pay anything at all and not to worry. I hope it works out

 
Rep Power: 245

Expected, body shops, dealers and insurance companies alike, charge way too much for stuff that in reality is much less expensive and total cars that shouldn't be totaled.